SA murder charge to be downgraded

A gym part-owner accused of murdering an Adelaide nightclub patron is to have his charge downgraded to manslaughter, a magistrate has been told.

The 25-year-old man, whose name has been suppressed, is charged with murdering pizza shop owner Robert Vallelonga, 44, who was found unconscious in Adelaide's CBD early on May 4.

He appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, when prosecutors said the charge was to be downgraded to manslaughter.

They previously alleged the man launched an unprovoked attack on Mr Vallelonga, who was about to get into a taxi after being ejected from the nearby Apple nightclub.

The man allegedly told a taxi driver after the incident he had "put someone to sleep for a few days".

The man's friend then allegedly told the cabbie: "He will get off. It is self-defence".

The man's lawyer said on Thursday he would be applying to have the charge dismissed against his client.

The case was adjourned to February 26.